Over the next several weeks, the Sisters of Charity Foundation will host, on behalf of the Central Promise Neighborhood, a series of Community Conversations. The purpose of these meetings is to hear from you – the community as they continue to build upon the vision of Promise, identify new resources and opportunities to support Promise and further inform the development of the 2012 application to the Department of Education to fund the effort. Each community conversation will have a unique focus and be hosted throughout the Central neighborhood.

All community memebers are encouraged to attend, including:

•  residents (students, parents, guardians),
• community-based organizations,
•  service providers,
• agencies,
• elected officials,
• business leaders,
• school staff and administration,
• faith leaders
•  and other community stakeholders.

Following is the calendar for the upcoming series of Community Conversations. You are welcome to attend all or part of the series.

• Monday      May 21st         3pm -  5pm    Community Meeting #1 – Onward & Upward in 2012 @ Trinity Commons
• Thursday   May 24th     8am – 10 am   Community Meeting    #1 – Onward & Upward in 2012 (Repeat) @ Golden Ciphers
• Monday        June 4th          3pm –  5pm
• Friday           June 8th          9am – 11am
• Tuesday        June 26th       3pm -  5pm
• Wednesday  July 11th         8am – 10am
• Monday        July 16th         3pm -   5pm

To RSVP for the Kick-off Community Conversation, hosted on May 21^st or May 24^th, please call Dave Kelly at Sisters of Charity Foundation  (216) 241-9300 or email Dkelly@socfcleveland.org.

Check the BBC blog for additional details and meeting reminders for the remaining community conversations.  For additional information on the Cleveland Central Promise Neighborhood, please visit, www.clevelandpromiseneighborhood.org

Check out their website HERE!

And the interview about their block club and the website HERE

Grants to support youth and community

Central Promise Neighborhood Connections Grants are available for community groups in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood that seek to become involved in creating and developing positive opportunities for youth particularly as it relates to education, health, safety, and community stability.

Grants up to $3000 for neighborhood groups to support youth and build community in the Central Neighborhood.

Learn more about applying for a Central Promise Neighborhood Connections Grant at one of these workshops:

For more information call 216.615.7582 or visit www.centralpromiseneighborhood.org

Proposal Deadline May 15th at 5pm!

Find out more about future job opportunities opening to Central Residents through Green City Growers!

The Greenhouse will open in November 2012 and will begin hiring employees in October!

If you would like to apply or learn more about this exciting opportunity, we encourage you to attend these meetings.

*Please sign up by Tuesday April 24th!*

While its future beyond 2012 remains uncertain, please be sure to check future issues of The Community Connector and BBC’s website for updates about the Paint Program.

For information about available home repair and improvement programs, please click here or call BBC at (216) 341-1455.

Spring Into Success

Save the Date

An Educational Festival

Come One Come All

Saturday, April 21, 2012

10:00 AM — 2:30 PM

Lincoln West High School

3202 West 30th Street

Cleveland, 44109

Great Information

Service Providers

Guest Speaker

Entertainment

Give Aways

Refreshments

Contact Parent Mentor Office

(216) 592-7264/ (216) 592-7265

SPRING SESSION

CMSD Parent University is designed to increase the capacity of parents and caregivers to support their children’s education, impact school improvement and improve the quality of life in their communities.

What is Parent University?

CMSD Parent University provides information through workshops on a variety of topics such as: computer basics, reading at home, advocacy for students and college readiness, which will help parents and caregivers increase their ability to advance student learning and promote academic success.

CMSD Parent University is free to all parents and caregivers of CMSD students.

Registration for workshops will be required.

Spring Session April 2 – May 31, 2012

Locations: Thomas Jefferson Newcomers Academy

Lincoln West

John Adams

James Rhodes

West Side Boys & Girls Club

We will provide dinner, recreational activities for children and raffles for all participants.

For more information, contact the Office of Family and Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.) at 216.858.0117.

In partnership with the Neighborhood Leadership Institute

 FreshLink Community Garden Network

This garden network is perfect for you if you want to learn:

•How to get volunteer support for your garden

• How to improve your gardening skills

(Examples: Lasagna gardening, vertical growing, season extension)

• How to apply for funding opportunities

Session 1: Starting the Growing Season Early: Season Extension – Thursday, March 22, 2012

Session 2: Intensive Gardening Methods & Techniques – Thursday, April 5, 2012

Session 3: Companion Planting – Thursday, April 19, 2012

Session 4: Bee Keeping 101 – Thursday, May 3, 2012

Session 5: Funding and skilled volunteers support for your garden – Thursday, May 17, 2012

FreshLink is a neighborhood-led effort to increase access to healthy foods in Hough, Central, East Cleveland and Buckeye-Shaker-Woodland.

To learn more about the Garden Network & other opportunities visit

www.prchn.org/freshlink or call 216-368-8513.

Would you like to do your part in making Cleveland a healthier place for your family and neighbors?

Sign up today for the Green Model Block Program

The first 20 households to sign up in your neighborhood will receive an in-home visit by a certified professional.

All participants will receive:

• Installation of energy saving compact florescent light bulbs
• Installation of water saving devices – low-flow shower heads,  faucet aerators  and toilet dams
• Refrigerator energy metering

All homeowners and tenants will receive this service completely FREE of CHARGE, no matter their income. Income qualified residents will be offered access to additional programs to receive replacement Energy Star appliances, and weatherization service.

Call Today!

Contact Patrick Kennedy at (216) 341- 1455 or pkennedy@bbcdevelopment.org

This limited time offer is only available until June 15th, 2012—SIGN UP TODAY